Nigeria’s healthcare crumbling under ‘japa’ hurricane

Temitayo Ayetoto-Oladehinde

December 1, 2023



The aftermath of Hurricane ‘Japa’ in Nigeria has left a trail of devastation on the nation’s healthcare system as more skilled health professionals continue to emigrate to developed countries where improved working conditions and workers’ welfare are guaranteed.

Medical facilities that were already struggling with limited resources and infrastructure are now further squeezed by the hurricane’s impact, leading to constraints for patients seeking treatment.

The strain on healthcare providers has been immense, with nurses, pharmacists, anaesthetists, and consultants avoiding employment with federal institutions.

About five wards with 150 beds have been closed down at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba due to a shortage of health workers.

Chris Esezobor, a professor of Paediatrics and Paediatric Nephrology at LUTH, said health professionals are weighing if it’s worth it to remain in Nigeria in the public sector where they cannot be guaranteed good welfare or adequate infrastructure to practice.

Olubusola Alagbe-Briggs said that the immigrant anaesthetists left Nigeria for a better practice environment as they are one of the most sought-after specialists in foreign countries because of the peculiarity of their services.

“There is a global shortage of anaesthetists because of the nature of the intensive, acute, and focused job. We had about 1,200 members in the past, but today we have only 800 members,” he said.

According to the president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), more than 7,000 pharmacists emigrated from Nigeria in the last two years, due to the lack of incentives to practice locally.

“Those countries that are short of anaesthetists are pulling those in Nigeria to their countries. Nigerian professionals are one of the best and are highly sought-after by other countries.”

Over 9,000 medical doctors are left with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) due to the surging pressure exacted by the brain drain crisis on Nigeria’s healthcare system, Emeka Orji, NARD president, said in the wake of an indefinite strike by the association over unmet demands for improved working conditions.

However, the situation has been further compounded by a wave of misdiagnoses. Many patients have received incorrect diagnoses, leaving them untreated or receiving inappropriate treatment. This has led to a sense of despair among patients and their families, who are already grappling with the trauma of the hurricane.

The hurricane’s impact on the healthcare sector is a stark reminder of the fragility of Nigeria’s health system.

The dwindling pool of medical professionals poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s ability to provide quality healthcare.

The hospital, like other teaching institutions, plays a crucial role in training future doctors and nurses. However, if the current trend of talent drain continues, the country may struggle to fulfil its mission and meet the healthcare needs of the community.

The factors driving this exodus of medical professionals are complex and multifaceted. Many cite better pay and working conditions abroad as primary motivators. Others are drawn to opportunities for professional development and research that may be limited in Nigeria.

Regardless of the reasons, the consequences are clear: Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing a severe shortage of skilled medical personnel.

Analysts say addressing this crisis will require a multi-pronged approach. Investing in healthcare infrastructure, improving training programmes, and enhancing salaries and benefits are essential steps. Additionally, creating a supportive and rewarding work environment can encourage medical professionals to remain in Nigeria and contribute to the country’s healthcare system.

Kay Adesola, national president of the Association of Nigerian Private and Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) and a veteran medical doctor, said the economic hardship has also aided the problem and translated to poor quality of care for patients.

“The government just declared an emergency on food production. We need one in the health sector. We need to look at the works done at the twilight of the last government by the Presidential Health Reform Committee headed by Professor Yemi Osinbajo,” he told BusinessDay earlier.

Source: https://businessday.ng/health/article/nigerias-healthcare-crumbling-under-japa-hurricane

Nigerians are not patriotic

Ghanaian pay atleast 10,000,000 naira to become a doctor



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There is a global shortage of anaesthetists because of the nature of the intensive, acute, and focused job. We had about 1,200 members in the past, but today we have only 800 members,” he said.

Na statistics we go chop?

iammo:




Nigerians are not patriotic

Ghanaian pay atleast 10,000,000 naira to become a doctor



.

I hope the political science graduates there too pay N10,000,000 to become political scientists?

I asked be cause political scientists here are billionaires unlike doctors.

Any doctor that trained in a public university should be made to do at least 10 years in Nigeria before they can work abroad. We can't be training doctors for free for US UK and Canada.

bjdon:
Any doctor that trained in a public university should be made to do at least 10 years in Nigeria before they can work abroad. We can't be training doctors for free for US UK and Canada.

....but we can train political scientists in those schools to damage the society and earn billions in return right?

bjdon:
Any doctor that trained in a public university should be made to do at least 10 years in Nigeria before they can work abroad. We can't be training doctors for free for US UK and Canada.

I support this. However the government should also do better in the health sector. Fund the sector more not this one they are buying yacht and vehicles all about

RepoMan007:
I hope the political science graduates there too pay N10,000,000 to become political scientists?

I asked be cause political scientists here are billionaires unlike doctors.

A politician and a political scientist are two different and distinctive fields

iammo:


A politician and a political scientist are two different and distinctive fields

but they are bound to end up as leaders too? Yes or no?

RepoMan007:
but they are bound to end up as leaders too? Yes or no?

No a political scientist is basically a consultant or at best works in INEC

RepoMan007:
but they are bound to end up as leaders too? Yes or no?

A medical doctor works in what is considered a critical sector in most countries, whereas a political scientist does not.
Moreover, you do not need a license or any form of accreditation to parade yourself as the latter.

iammo:


No a political scientist is basically a consultant or at best works in INEC

as graduates both sets of people passed through the public schools. Why should politicians victimize doctors?

RepoMan007:
as graduates both sets of people passed through the public schools. Why should politicians victimize doctors?

Serving your country isn't victimization

An average Medical school book, cost of laboratory equipment, cost of Lecturer man power

Can not be compared to cost incurred by a political science graduate

And this cost is paid from our collective tax

iammo:




Nigerians are not patriotic

Ghanaian pay atleast 10,000,000 naira to become a doctor



.

Patriotism will put food on my table.
Your politicians don't even patronise Nigerian hospitals.